New study to measure experience of cancer during pregnancy

It’s a tragic contradiction — celebrating a pregnancy as you fight to save your own life. And the mums-to-be who battle cancer often fall through the cracks. Here’s how one Melbourne hospital is hoping to change that.

Ainslie Pettitt was 12 weeks pregnant with daughter Isobel when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Pictured with her two children Henry, 7, and Isobel, 5. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ainslie Pettitt remembers well the uncomfortable eyes that trailed her bulging pregnant belly and sleek sandy wig as she walked into the chemotherapy unit.

She still feels the sting of that 24 hours she was unable to touch her three-day-old baby daughter, when she was left radioactive from a full body scan to check if the chemotherapy she had received while carrying Isobel had done its job.

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The crudeness of being automatically booked in for a termination by her surgeon without consultation upon the breast cancer diagnosis when 12 weeks pregnant, still shocks her.

“The emotion I felt during that time is quite difficult to articulate,” Mrs Pettitt said.

“It was scary. It was tough emotionally and physically, especially since I didn’t look the same as everyone else. I was young. I was pregnant.”

Ainslie with children Henry and Isobel. Picture: Supplied

It is a tragic contradiction to celebrate the arrival of new life, as you fight to save your own.

The Royal Women’s Hospital is now launching the first comprehensive research study to improve the medical and psychological care of mums-to-be diagnosed with cancer.

The INTEGRATE study, funded by the Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service, will survey women, their families, and the medical professionals who care for them.

Lead researcher and head of clinical psychology at The Women’s, Associate Professor Lesley Stafford said the answers would shape the development of evidence-based models of care.

“We don’t know if we’re doing a good job of looking after these women, their families and clinicians, because we haven’t asked the question,” Associate Prof Stafford said.

“Often these women fall through the cracks. The obstetric and maternity team think the oncology team are taking care of her psychological needs, and vice versa.

“There are decisions to be made about whether it’s right to keep the baby. Sometimes the mother and her partner have different ideas about what should be done.

“Are women involved in decision making? Does anyone talk to her about fertility after treatment? Are we doing enough to support them when they’re worried if they’ll see their baby grow up?”

One in 1500 pregnant women will be diagnosed with cancer, a statistic that has slowly increased as more women delay starting their family and cancer rates increase generally.

Ainslie gave birth during treatment for breast cancer. With newborn Isobel and husband Angus. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Pettitt, who is cancer free and relishing her role as mum to Henry, 7, and Isobel, 5, said more up-to-date support was needed.

“Sometimes I felt like a unique case, and that was daunting,” she said.

“I was guided by my specialists about what was best for my and my unborn child. The more women can be supported in their decision making and emotional support, the better for the whole family.”

To part in the study go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cancerinpregnancy